Piece of furniture for sitting or lying down on

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a piece of furniture ( 100 ) for sitting or lying down on, comprising a frame ( 110 ) and a base ( 130 ) for a mattress or a seat cushion. The base ( 130 ) spans a horizontal surface area and has a thickness which extends in the vertical direction. The base ( 130 ) is resiliently coupled with the frame ( 110 ). The invention is characterized by the provision of a guide element ( 150 ) which ensures that a vertically downwardly directed external force applied to the base ( 130 ) results in the base ( 130 ) being moved in a guided manner vertically downwards relative to the frame ( 110 ).

The present invention relates to a piece of furniture for sitting orlying down on comprising a lying or sitting frame and base for amattress or a seat cushion.

The typical setup of a bedroom furnishing system strongly variesaccording to regions. For example, in the Anglo-Saxon region theso-called box spring bed is very popular, while in the European regionthe conventional bed is favored which comprises a bedframe and a slattedframe upon which the mattress rests. However, in the case of box springbeds a spring-mounted base is used instead of a slatted frame, whichbase is very massive and high and takes up a lot of space since usuallybarrel pocket springs having a height of approx. 20 cm are mountedtherein. However, with regard to comfortable sleep the box spring bedoffers a considerably better sprung base as compared to beds havingslatted frames. This explains the high sales volumes of box spring bedsand the recent decline in sales of the slatted-frame beds

From EP 2 762 042 A1 a bed is known which comprises two barrel pocketspring mattresses between which a lying or sitting frame having one or aplurality of tension belts is arranged. The hardness and the height ofthe bed are adjusted by changing the tension of tension belt.

In US 2013/0000049 A1 a bed is described which comprise a mattress and aslatted frame having a height-adjustable plate. In the mattress aplurality of spring assemblies are mounted over the entire surface area,wherein each spring assembly comprises two spring elementsconcentrically arranged relative to each other. The outer spring elementof the spring assembly is in contact with the height-adjustable plate ofthe slatted frame. When the plate of the slatted frame is raised, thespring element in contact therewith is more strongly pretensioned,whereby the hardness of the mattress can be changed.

From U.S. Pat. Nos. 71,933 and 93,632 lamellar mattress bases for a bedare known which are resiliently coupled with a bedframe with the aid ofrubber bands.

It is an object of the present invention to minimize or even eliminatethe drawbacks encountered in prior art. In particular, it is an objectof the present invention to improve the lying comfort of a conventionalbed or the sitting comfort of conventional seating furniture and inparticular to make them similar to those of box spring beds.

This object is achieved with the subject matter of the independent claim1. Optional and/or preferred features of the invention are stated in thesubclaims 2 to 16.

According to the invention, a piece of furniture for sitting or lyingdown on is provided which comprises a lying or sitting frame and a basefor a mattress or a seat cushion, wherein the base spans a horizontalarea and has a thickness extending in the vertical direction, andwherein the base is resiliently coupled with the lying or sitting frame.The invention is characterized in that a guide element is provided whichensures that an external force acting downward in a vertical directionon the base results in a guided downward movement of the base in thevertical direction relative to the lying or sitting frame.

Preferably, the guide element ensures a linearly guided movement.

More preferably, the guide element ensures that the guided downwardmovement in the vertical direction is performed over a predeterminedlength.

In addition, it is preferred that the resilient coupling has a springpretension.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the resilientcoupling is configured such that, when the external force acing upon thebase is reduced, the base moves upward in the vertical direction, andwherein the guide element ensures that the movement is guided upward inthe vertical direction and performed over a predetermined length.

It is advantageous when the guide element is a linear guide comprising arail and a slide movably arranged in the rail, wherein the rail isfastened to the lying or sitting frame and the slide is fastened to thebase, or vice versa.

Preferably, the guide element comprises an upper stopper and a lowerstopper.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a spring strapis connected to the base on the one hand and to the lying or sittingframe on the other hand, wherein the spring strap effects the resilientcoupling.

In addition, preferably the spring strap is pretensioned.

More preferably, the pretension of the spring strap is adjustable.

Particularly preferably, the base is divided into a plurality ofsections spaced apart from each other and decoupled from each other,wherein at least part of the plurality of sections is resilientlycoupled with the lying or sitting frame such that an external forcedirected downward in the vertical direction and acting upon each sectionof this part of the plurality of sections results in a guided downwardmovement of the section in the vertical direction relative to the lyingor sitting frame.

Further, it is advantageous that part of the plurality of sectionscomprises a first part and a second part, wherein the resilient couplingof the lying or sitting frame with the first part has a first springconstant, and wherein the resilient coupling of the lying or sittingframe with the second part has a second spring constant, and wherein thefirst spring constant differs from the second spring constant.

Preferably, at least portions of the base have an inherent stiffness.

More preferably, the base comprises a first base element and a secondbase element, wherein only the first base element is resiliently coupledwith the lying or sitting frame, and wherein the second base element isarranged on the first base element.

Particularly advantageously, the second base element comprises aplurality of coil springs which are arranged side by side over theentire surface area and whose spring force acts in the verticaldirection.

Preferably, the piece of furniture for sitting or lying down on is a bedor a bed couch or a sofa or a chair.

The accompanying drawings exemplify a preferred embodiment of theinvention. The elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarilyshown true to scale relative to each other. In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a bed according to a preferredexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a partial aspect of a bed according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an alternative partial aspect of a bedaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of a bed according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a bed according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a detail of the bed illustrated inFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of another detail of the bed illustratedin FIG. 5 but without the mattress base 130; and

FIG. 8 shows a lower side of the bed illustrated in FIG. 5.

In the figures the same reference numerals designate the same elements,members or component, or elements, members or components having the samefunctions, unless specified otherwise.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a bed according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. The present invention is notlimited to beds in the narrower sense but is applicable to any type offurniture for sitting or lying down on. Here, a sofa and a bed couch aremerely exemplified.

The bed 100 comprises a frame means 110 (bedframe), a support means 130(first mattress base) and a frame springing means 120 serving as aresilient coupling between the frame means 110 and the support means130. Preferably, further a support springing means 200 (second mattressbase) is provided. The support means 130 is configured for being coupledwith the frame means 110. The frame springing means 120 is configuredfor providing a first spring effect between the frame means 110 and thesupport means 130. The support springing means 200 is configured forprovided a second spring effect acting upon the support means 130.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a partial aspect of the bedillustrated in FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 shows how the frame springing means 120 is fastened to an uppersurface of the bottom plate of the frame means 110 on the one hand andto a lower surface of the floating support means 130 on the other hand.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an alternative partial aspect of thebed illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 shows how the frame springing means 130 is fastened to an innersurface (side wall or side beam) of the frame means 110 on the one handand to a lower surface of the floating support means 130 on the otherhand. This alternative type of fastening of the frame springing means120 offers the advantage that the frame springing means 120 is notsubjected to any friction and thereby the spring travel can be evenlonger (12 cm in the sprung base, for example). Furthermore, the overallarea of the sprung base increases in the width of the lie-down area,which offers a comfort advantage. In this configuration, coil springs orgas pressure springs can be used instead of a spring strap 120.

Mounting a rail at the frame and at the floating bottom plate ensuressmooth sliding and is well suited for preventing vibrations.Furthermore, this rail can be provided with a stopper for causing orlimiting a maximum elongation of the springs. In most casesapproximately 7 cm are advantageous.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of a bed according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows that for fastening the support means 130 to the frame means110 two or more frame springing means 120 can be used on each side.Furthermore, FIG. 4 illustrates rails 150 which allow for optimumsliding of the support means 130.

FIG. 4 shows a support means 130 which is divided into a plurality—3 inthe present case—support segments 130-1, 130-2, . . . 130-n. In the samemanner, the frame springing means 120 comprises a plurality of framesegment springing systems 120-1, 120-2, . . . , 120-n. The supportspringing means 140 is also divided into a plurality of supportspringing segments 140-1, 140-2, . . . , 140-n. Further, in FIG. 4 amiddle guiding strap is illustrated which, as in the case of a slattedframes, ensures additional stability.

When gas pressure or coil springs are used instead of the aforementionedspring straps, it is possible that two rails serve for guiding purposesand one spring per side suffices for an adequate springing.

In summary, the following can be stated:

A first feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 for apiece of furniture comprising (i) a frame means 110; (ii) a supportmeans 130 which is configured for being coupled with the frame means110; (iii) a frame springing means 120 which is configured for providinga first spring effect between the frame means 110 and the support means130; and (iv) a support springing means 140 which is configured forproviding a second spring effect acting upon the support means 130.

A second feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 accordingthe first feature combination, wherein the support means 130 is adaptedto be divided into a plurality of support segments 130-1, 130-2, . . . ,130-n; and wherein the frame springing means 120 comprises a pluralityof frame segment springing systems 120-1, 120-2, . . . , 120-n; andwherein each frame segment springing system 120-n is associated with asupport segment 130-n and is configured for providing its own associatedfirst segment spring effect for the respective support segment 130-n.

A third feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 accordingto the first or the second feature combination, wherein the supportspringing means 140 is adapted to be divided into a plurality of supportspringing segments 140-1, . . . , 140-2, . . . , 140-n; and wherein thesupport springing means 140 comprises a plurality of segment springingsystems; wherein each segment springing system is configured forproviding its own second segment spring effect for the respectivesupport springing segment 140-n.

A fourth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 accordingto any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the framespringing means 120 is configured for providing the first spring effectby a first elastic deformation in a first deformation direction; andwherein the support springing means 140 is configured for providing thesecond spring effect by a second elastic deformation in a seconddeformation direction; and wherein the first deformation direction andthe second deformation direction are essentially oriented in the samedirection relative to each other with an angular deviation of less than20°, preferably less than 10°, or particularly preferably less than 5°.

A fifth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 accordingto any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the framespringing means 120 is a sprung base configured as an expansion strap oras a fiber strap or as a warp knit fabric or as a spring strap or as agas pressure spring or as a coil spring or as a spring.

A sixth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 accordingto any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the framespringing means 120 has a spring stroke of up to 14 cm, or preferably ofup to 8 cm, or particularly preferably of up to 6 cm.

A seventh feature combination relates to a furniture device 100according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein thesupport springing means 140 has a spring stroke of up to 14 cm, orpreferably of up to 8 cm, or particularly preferably of up to 6 cm.

An eighth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein theframe springing means 120 and the support springing means 140 areconfigured for adapting the first spring effect and the second springeffect to each other.

A ninth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 accordingto any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the framespringing means 120 and the support springing means 140 are configuredfor adapting the spring stroke of the frame springing means 120 and thespring stroke of the support springing 140 to each other.

A tenth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 accordingto any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein the supportspringing means 140 comprises a mattress springing; or a pocketspringing; or a spring core; or at least a three-dimensional fabric; orat least a foam structure; or at least a wool structure; or at least anair cushion structure.

An eleventh feature combination relates to a furniture device 100according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein thefurniture device 100 is configured as a bed.

A twelfth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100according to any one of the preceding feature combinations, wherein thefurniture device 100 is configured as a cushioned piece of furniture forsitting or lying down on.

A thirteenth feature combination relates to a control system for afurniture device, wherein the control system is configured for adjustingand adapting the first spring effect and/or the second spring effect,wherein preferably, the control system is configured for adjusting andadapting the first spring effect and/or the second spring effect of therespective support segment or the respective frame segment springingsystem or the respective support springing segment.

A fourteenth feature combination relates to a furniture device 100 for apiece of furniture, wherein the furniture device 100 comprises a framemeans 110; a support means 130 which is configured for being coupledwith the frame means 110; and a frame springing means 120 which isconfigured for providing a first spring effect between the frame means110 and the support means 130.

The setup of a bed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,merely schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, will hereunder bedescribed in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

The setup of a bed 100 illustrated in FIG. 5 corresponds to a preferredembodiment of the invention. According to this embodiment, the bed 100comprises a bedframe 110 essentially having a rectangular shape. Awooden frame can be provided as a bedframe which is glued or screwed onand partially supported by steel sections for imparting an adequatestiffness to the bedframe 110. The horizontal dimensions of the bedframe110 can correspond to those dimensions usual in the market forconventional beds. The vertical height of the bedframe 110 preferably is5-25 cm, more preferably 7-15 cm, and still more preferably merely 8 cm.

Although not shown in FIG. 5, the bed 100 can also comprise legs or apedestal for placing the bedframe 110 at a height for allowing the userto comfortably climb into and get out of the bed 100. Likewise, adistance of the bedframe 110 to the floor beneath allows for ventilationof the entire bed 100 from below.

The bed 100 illustrated in FIG. 5 additionally comprises a (first)mattress base 130 which can preferably be divided into a plurality ofsegments 130-1, 130-2, 130-3 and 130-4. Here, the division is preferablyrealized vertically to the longitudinal direction of the bedframe 110.Due to this division various zones for lying down on are created whichcan support different parts of the body of the user to differentdegrees. In the various segments 130-1 to 130-4 the mattress base 130comprises ventilation slots 132-1 to 132-4 which ensure ventilation frombelow of the bed components located on the mattress base 130. An exampleof such a bed component is the coil spring support 200 (FIG. 1) which isconsidered another (second) portion of the mattress base 130 accordingto another preferred embodiment of the invention.

At least portions of the mattress base 130 are resiliently coupled withthe bedframe 110, preferably with the aid of spring straps 120. Thus,some of the segments 130-1 to 130-3 of the mattress base 130 arerespectively resiliently coupled, independently of each other, with thebedframe 110 with the aid of spring straps 120-1 to 120-3. Merely thesegment 130-4 is preferably not resiliently coupled with the bedframe110. Depending on the size of the segments 130-1 to 130-4 of themattress base 130 either one or two or even more spring straps 120 canbe provided on opposite sides as seen in the width direction of thebedframe 110. The spring straps 120-1 to 120-3 can have different springconstants. Depending on the lying position of the user (e.g. dorsalposition, lateral position or abdominal position) and the desired lyingcomfort, the spring constants of the spring straps 120-1 to 120-3 canpreferably vary in the various segments 130-1 to 130-3.

A spring strap 120 within the meaning of the invention is considered tobe any resilient holding element which, when loaded by the weight of theuser, ensures downward movement of the mattress base 130 in the verticaldirection. Likewise, the spring strap 120 is designed to produce anadequately strong restoring force for the mattress base 130 to returnagain into its original vertical position once loading by the weight ofthe user is reduced. These spring straps or belts 120 have a highcarrying capacity and can have different spring strengths (springconstants). Preferably, the spring stroke of a spring strap is 5-15 cm,more preferably 5-10 cm, and particularly preferably 6-8 cm. Examples ofspring straps are warp knit fabrics, fiber straps e.g. from elasticsynthetic fibers, such as Mygroflex, for example, and rubber bands.

The mattress base 130 is coupled with the bedframe 110 such that avertical downward, but preferably also upward movement of the mattressbase 130 relative to the bedframe 110 is guided. Such guiding ispreferably ensured by a linear guide 150 which is operatively connectedto the bedframe 110 on the one hand and to the mattress base 130 on theother hand. An example of a linear guide 150 is a slide 154 shown inFIG. 6 which is arranged for linear movement in a guide 152 a (rail).Preferably, the linear guide 150 has an upper stopper and a lowerstopper such that a length of the vertical upward and downward movementof the mattress base 130 relative to the bedframe 110 is limited.

As a safety measure, an anti-trap protection can be provided whichcovers any gaps between the mattress base 130 and the bedframe 110.Especially in the loaded condition of the mattress base 130 a verticalgap can occur such that there is the risk that careless persons, e.g.children, put their fingers into the gap. But any gaps between thesegments 130-1 to 130-4 of the mattress base 130 can also be covered byan anti-trap cover, for example an elastic band, e.g. by a textile ormattress drill, for thus making gaps inaccessible. Preferably, theanti-trap cover is placed on the lower side of the mattress base 130such that any gaps between the segments 130-1 to 130-4 of the mattressbase 130 are inaccessible or covered.

As can also be seen in FIG. 6, the spring straps 120 are preferablyfastened, preferably screwed, to the inside of the vertical side beam ofthe bedframe 110 with the aid of a metal strap 122. The opposite end ofthe spring strap 120 extends below the mattress base 130 and is fastenedto the lower side of the latter. The same applies to the linear guide150 whose slide 154 is fastened to the vertical side beam of thebedframe 110, while the slide guide 152 a extends through a recess inthe mattress base 130.

In FIG. 7 it can be seen how an extension 152 b protrudingperpendicularly to the vertically extending slide guide 152 a extendsbelow the mattress base 130. This extension 152 b is preferably fastenedto the lower surface of the mattress base 130 via a screw connection.

Alternatively, at least part of the spring straps 120 can be fastened tothe linear guide 150, preferably to the slide guide 152 a, instead ofthe side beam of the bedframe 110.

In FIG. 7 it is further shown how the spring strap 120 is configured asa tension belt. For this purpose, the spring strap 120 comprises a bar124 through which a pin 125 passes that is adapted to engage in asnap-in device preferably comprising two parallel snap-in rails 126,128.

According to FIG. 8, the snap-in rails 126, 128 comprise recesses 126 a,128 a arranged at regular intervals. Via these recesses 126 a, 128 a thepin 125 can be inserted into the hollow spaces 126 b, 128 b providedbeneath and being open on one side, as shown in FIG. 8. These hollowspaces 126 b, 128 b have a cross-sectional area extending in parallel tothe snap-in rails 126, 128 and being larger than the opening area of therecesses 126 a, 128 a. Due to the tensile strength of the spring strap120 the pin 125 moves into that portion of the hollow spaces 126 b, 128b which is not exposed by the recesses 126 a, 128 b. This portion isdesignated by the reference numeral 128 c in FIG. 8. With the aid ofthese snap-in rails 126, 128 the pretension of the spring strap 120 canbe variably adjusted. In this connection, other pretensioningmechanisms, either of the mechanical or the electrical type, are alsoconceivable.

The pretension of the spring strap 120 and the fact that the linearguide 150 comprises an upper stopper ensure that all segments 130-1 to130-3 of the mattress base 130, which are resiliently coupled with thebedframe 110, in the unloaded condition, i.e. without any external loadacting upon it, are at the same height, preferably at the height of thatsegment 130-4 of the mattress base 130 which is not resiliently coupledwith the bedframe 110. The lower stopper of the linear guide 150 ensuresthat the mattress base 130 cannot unlimitedly vertically move downwardrelative to the bedframe 110 due to the external force, but saidmovement is limited. This prevents any objects or even persons which/whoare temporarily under the mattress base 130 from being harmed.

As indicated in FIG. 1, the mattress base 130 can preferably comprisetwo mattress base elements 130, 200. In this case, on the mattress base130 shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, which in this case is referred to as a firstmattress base element 130 within the meaning of this description, asecond mattress base element 200 is arranged which comprises a pluralityof coil springs 220 arranged side by side over the entire surface area.Preferably, the second mattress base element 200 can loosely rest on thefirst mattress base element 130 or be coupled with the latter.Preferably, the coil springs 220 have a spring stroke of 2-10 cm, morepreferably 2-7 cm, and particularly preferably 3-4 cm. Preferably, thesecond mattress base element 200 is a 5-zone barrel pocket spring corewhich preferably can additionally comprise a comfort foam of e.g. athickness of 5 mm. The second mattress base element 200 can be enclosedby a flexible mattress drill, for example. Onto this second mattressbase element 200 the actual mattress is placed on which the user liesdown to sleep. In the case of a seating furniture the actual seatcushion, on which the user sits down, is placed on the second baseelement 200.

A spring stroke of e.g. 6-8 cm of the spring straps 120, which canhowever be limited by the lower stopper of the linear guide 150, and aspring stroke of e.g. 3-4 cm of the coil springs 220 of the secondmattress base element 200 can amount to a total spring stroke of e.g. upto 12 cm although the overall height of the bedframe 110 is merely 8 cm,for example. Likewise, by a corresponding selection of the springconstants of the spring straps 120 and the spring constants of the coilsprings 220 as well as possibly by a variable pretension of the springstraps 120 nearly any desired response characteristic (characteristicline) of the spring system made up of two spring elements 120, 220connected in series can be achieved when an external force, for examplethe weight force of the user, acts upon it. In addition, by acorresponding selection of the spring constants of the spring straps120-1 to 120-3 various comfort zones 130-1 to 130-4 can be created inthe mattress base 130, which comfort zones support different body partsof the user, such as hip, loin and shoulder, for example, to a differentdegree and thus allow for these body parts to sink in to differentdepths in the actual mattress.

Furthermore, the deformation direction of the spring straps 120 and thedeformation direction of the coil springs 220 are preferably orientedessentially in the same direction relative to each other with an angulardeviation of less than 20°, preferably less than 10°, or particularlypreferably less than 5°.

Although the present invention has been described above on the basis ofa preferred exemplary embodiment, the invention is not limited theretobut can be modified in various ways. In particular, the presentinvention can be altered or modified in various ways without deviatingfrom the essence of the invention. The described configurations andfurther modifications can be combined in any manner desired.

In addition, it should be noted that “comprising” and “including” do notexclude any other elements or steps and that “one” does not exclude aplurality.

1. A piece of furniture for sitting or lying down on, comprising a lyingor sitting frame and a base for a mattress or a seat cushion, whereinthe base spans a horizontal area and has a thickness extending in avertical direction, and wherein the base is resiliently coupled with thelying or sitting frame, wherein a guide element is provided whichensures that an external force acting downward in the vertical directionon the base results in a guided downward movement of the base in thevertical direction relative to the lying or sitting frame.
 2. The pieceof furniture for sitting or lying down on according to claim 1, whereinthe guide element ensures a linearly guided movement.
 3. The piece offurniture for sitting or lying down on according to claim 1, wherein theguide element ensures that the guided downward movement in the verticaldirection has a predefined length of movement.
 4. The piece of furniturefor sitting or lying down on according to claim 1, wherein the resilientcoupling has a spring pretension.
 5. The piece of furniture for sittingor lying down on according to claim 1, wherein the resilient coupling isconfigured such that, when the external force acting upon the base isreduced, the base moves upward in the vertical direction, and that theguide element ensures that the upward movement is guided in the verticaldirection and has a predefined length of movement.
 6. The piece offurniture for sitting or lying down on according to claim 1, wherein theguide element is a linear guide comprising a rail and a slide movablyarranged in the rail, and that the rail is fastened to the lying orsitting frame is fastened to the base, or vice versa.
 7. The piece offurniture for sitting or lying down on according to claim 1, wherein theguide element comprises an upper stopper and a lower stopper.
 8. Thepiece of furniture for sitting or lying down on according to claim 1,wherein a spring strap is connected to the base on the one hand and tothe lying or sitting frame on the other hand, and that the spring strapeffects the resilient coupling.
 9. The piece of furniture for sitting orlying down on according to claim 8, wherein the spring strap ispretensioned.
 10. The piece of furniture for sitting or lying down onaccording to claim 9, wherein the pretension of the spring strap isadjustable.
 11. The piece of furniture for sitting or lying down onaccording to claim 1, wherein the base is divided into a plurality ofsections spaced apart from each other and decoupled from each other, andthat at least part of the plurality of sections are resiliently coupledwith the lying or sitting frame such that an external force directeddownward in the vertical direction and acting upon each section of thispart of the plurality of sections results in a guided downward movementof the section in the vertical direction relative to the lying orsitting frame.
 12. The piece of furniture for sitting or lying down onaccording to claim 11, wherein part of the plurality of sectionscomprises a first part and a second part, and that the resilientcoupling of the lying or sitting frame with the first part has a firstspring constant, and that the resilient coupling of the lying or sittingframe with the second part has a second spring constant, and that thefirst spring constant differs from the second spring constant.
 13. Thepiece of furniture for sitting or lying down on according to claim 1,wherein at least portions of the base have an inherent stiffness. 14.The piece of furniture for sitting or lying down on according to claim1, wherein the base comprises a first base element and a second baseelement, and that only the first base element is resiliently coupledwith the lying or sitting frame, and that the second base element isarranged on the first base element.
 15. The piece of furniture forsitting or lying down on according to claim 14, wherein the second baseelement comprises a plurality of coil springs which are arranged side byside over the entire surface area and whose spring force acts in thevertical direction.
 16. The piece of furniture for sitting or lying downon according to claim 1, wherein the piece of furniture for sitting orlying down on is a bed or a bed couch or a sofa or a chair.